Swansea University is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Emily Lowthian, lecturer in Education and Childhood Studies, to join the esteemed UK Young Academy. This network comprises early career researchers and professionals dedicated to addressing both local and global issues, advocating for meaningful change.
Dr. Lowthian joins a select group of thirty-two emerging leaders from various fields across the UK, showcasing expertise in areas ranging from policy to engineering, archaeology, education, and the creative industries. Each member has demonstrated remarkable contributions to their respective fields.
As a member of the UK Young Academy, Dr. Lowthian will engage in vibrant exchanges of ideas, share expertise, and actively participate in policy discussions at both local and global levels. Together, they aim to address pressing challenges in areas of significance to them and society at large.
Professor of Education and Head of the Department of Education and Childhood Studies at Swansea University; Andrew Townsend said, “Dr Lowthian’s appointment to the young academy is thoroughly deserved. She has achieved a great deal in a relatively short career, making significant contributions to research on educational outcomes, and on young people’s wellbeing. Emily is not only an excellent researcher, although she is certainly that, she is also highly respected in the department, and more widely across the university, being a wonderful teacher and colleague.”
Speaking on behalf of the UK Young Academy executive group, Alistair McConnel, assistant professor in computer science at Heriot-Watt University, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new members to the UK Young Academy. It is such an exciting time to join the ranks. They will be able to help develop the young academy’s ambitions across areas they are passionate about, be it biodiversity loss, climate change or social inequality.
“We have just kicked off planning our major projects for the year ahead, so the new members will be able to get their teeth stuck in from the get-go. I look forward to meeting them, being inspired by their diversity of ideas, and working alongside them to create positive change for the benefit of all.”
Work programmes and initiatives led by members are already underway, with the aim to address the young academy’s strategic priorities set out in its first year. The first of the young academy’s major projects, to launch later this year, will be a programme to support researchers and professionals at risk, both in the UK and globally.
The new members began their post from 19 March 2024, and membership runs for five years.
For more information about the UK Young Academy and to request interviews with spokespeople, please contact the Royal Society press office:
Amrita Pal
Press Officer
02074512534
amrita.pal@royalsociety.org